Volkswagen pleaded guilty to breaking US environmental laws and agreed to a settlement of $4.3bn with the US Justice Department related to emissions cheating; six former executives also face charges.

US Attorney General Loretta Lynch called Volkswagen’s actions “an egregious violation” of US laws. “They were pumping illegal levels of nitrogen oxide into our atmosphere,” she said.

Six former company executives face charges of conspiracy to defraud the US, obstruction of justice, and improper importing of goods. The plea agreement, which still has to be approved by a judge, includes a criminal fine of $2.8bn and $1.5bn to cover claims made by the Environmental Protection Agency and US Customs authorities.

Volkswagen has also agreed to be independently monitored for three years.